Just a quick something swirling in my mind lately... if you haven't guessed I somehow like making Sonic the bad guy hehe - I think he has the real potential to go that way, if something pushed him enough, and I think he'd be pretty devestating.

So another AU, I think thats what they are called... I'm not sure if I'm going to go anywhere with it, but its going to be a short one, and I already have the next/last chapter in mind and started so we'll see how this goes. I'm not supposed to be writing this either, I'm supposed to be working on something for a guildmate... opps.

The room was dark, and cold, the only place he could feel remotely comfortable coming from the old, spring bed with an even older innerspring mattress, with some of the springs broken through the lining and fabric, leaving him a very small amount of room to lay, and sometimes he even opted to sleep on the cold floor, in case a spring broke in the night, or what he assumed was night. The only thing that ever happened that was remotely interesting was when he was taken from the cell, by a group of five, or sometimes more, guards into a large room where their leader would attempt to "break him." It never worked, he was strong enough not to let stupid tricks of the mind and abuse break him, make him into some blubbering mess that would do what ever he was told... though sometimes it was more than tempting, sometimes he was ever so tempted to give in, that maybe all those promises he offered weren't – No! He couldn't think that way. His stomach have an uncomfortable growl as he rolled over, skilfully dogging the springs in a way that marked just how long he had been trapped here. He wasn't sure the last time they fed him, but he clearly remembered the last time he saw food. Piles of it, sitting inches in front of him, all his if he just gave in, and the pain almost became too much right there, but he stayed strong, he had to. They'd be coming to rescue him any day, any moment, and he wasn't about to become his ultimate weapon when they arrived. "What if they don't come?... what if they don't care about me, like I care for them? If it was anyone of them, I would have rescued them by now, and saved the day."

He gave his head a rough shake, he hated that voice, that voice of doubt, he couldn't doubt, if he doubted, then he gave in.

"Giving in wouldn't be so bad. I'd be full at least, maybe a comfortable bed, with a blanket... and I wouldn't have to worry about everyone else anymore, see how they'd fare without me..."

"They've been relying on you for a long time, haven't they Sonic?"

He glanced up, his emerald green eyes blinded by the bright light of the room for a moment, when had they moved him? Was he so trapped in his own mind that he didn't even realise?

"I – I don't mind that they do."

The face of the albino echidna was cold, and the smile was unsettling.

"You cant lie to me – you're lying to yourself. They expect you to jump up and save the day, so much they don't even try anymore."

"They – Shadow tries..."

"Does he? Does he really? He only does it to sate his own conscious. Only does it because Maria wanted him to. But when it comes down to it, he just as easily steps aside and waits for you."

He gave a shudder, was that really true?

"Do you know why they haven't come for you? Because they expect you'll break yourself out. They haven't even tried... I can show you, if you want."

Screens around him sparked to life, each showing the same, empty, corridor that led to his cell, each with different time stamps and dates, with no sign of anyone.

"I knew they wouldn't come, that's why I left you unguarded like that. They don't care for you, Sonic. Only your power, and fame."

"..."

"They use you, Sonic the Hedgehog."

"They – Th-ey – You want to use me too."

The echidna gave a low chuckle;

"No, I see you as my equal. You have powers that you couldn't even imagine. I'll help you retrieve them... and in return I ask that you help my organisation here, you would not work for me, we would work together. The world is a horrid place, Sonic, you know that first hand... and they care nothing for their hero, so why should you care for them?"

"They – I – I shouldn't..."

The echidna's smile grew larger, and almost manic.

"So, do we have a deal, my friend?"

Sonic closed his eyes for a moment, too many thoughts and feelings overwhelming his system, was it a lie? Was it true? Did it even matter? Slowly he let his eyes slide open again, the emerald traced with specks of jade.

"... Deal."